Bowling Green Ballpark welcomes World Cup fans for watch party

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – There were a few watch parties scattered across town on Wednesday night, making a lively environment for FIFA World Cup fans.

Bowling Green Ballpark was one of those places, hosting both American and Bosnian fans for the Round of 32 matchup between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With the Hot Rods out of town, it provided fans a chance to catch the contest on a screen that’s more than likely bigger than what most people typically watch the action on.

Instead of hearing the organs and 7th inning stretch, those in attendance caught national anthems and the sound of announcers shouting ‘goaaal!’

USA fans Mark and Joshua Berry try to catch a game or two during each home Hot Rods series, but the pair shared that Wednesday evening was a totally different feel.

“This is a neat experience,” Joshua said. “I work down in Bowling Green and knew that there was a large Bosnian population in Bowling Green, and so when I saw, you know, we’re playing Bosnia here, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is going to be a pretty split crowd.'”

“It is cool. I mean, you know, if the netting wasn’t there, it’d be even better, but it’s great,” Mark said. “It’s amazing how into the game the crowd’s been, too. So, it’s really cool.”

In the end, Team USA was able to capture a 2-0 victory, the first time the country has advanced out of the first knockout round since 2002.

The team will face off with Belgium on Monday evening at 7 p.m. CT.